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The debate continues: Frelard or Balmont?

Posted by Geeky Swedes on September 18th, 2008

Earlier this year we put the question to you - Is the gray area between Fremont and Ballard considered Frelard or Balmont? Today in the Seattle Times, they ask local businesses where they think they are. Anita’s Crepes (opening soon) says they’re in Ballard while right next door at the Traveler, they claim Fremont. According to City Hall that area is called “Interbay-Ballard.”

Tags: Ballard · Fremont   Facebook

  • m
    Its been Frelard for years and years - there is no question.
  • dutyfree
    In fact, the area is the Ross neighborhood. I think the city came up with the Interbay falsehood a few years ago to lure industrial businesses into the area.
  • Steve M
    I thought official-ish signs called it the "Fremont-Ballard Industrial Area," which I think logically should be "Frelard" if shortened.
  • gcm
    when i lived in that neighborhood i always referred to it as frelard.
  • Evan
    Frelard! ... and just to the North we call ourselves Phin-Lard. Or sometimes Phinney Valley.
  • Jmi
    Not to contradict any of you who apparently know the history of the area but 'Frelard' just isn't an appealing name. Either way, enjoy
  • pioggia
    Shouldn't it be spelled Freelard? That's how we've alway's pronounced it.

    I think that Anita's is still in Ballard, just right on the border...
  • gooner
    frelard just makes me think of very inexpensive pig fat
  • CaffinatorX
    I thought it was called "Leary".
  • Rebecca
    Frelard. No question.
  • boardbrown
    I'm with Gooner. I think Balmont sounds better than Frelard, but it's been known as Frelard for as long as I can remember.
  • gooner
    it does need a name though, and probably not any kind of hybrid. so many times have i described the area and it usually is described by something like this

    "you know that area near the dish? no, not there, more east... by hales? no? ok, you know when you are driving from fremond to ballard? yeah, in there..."

    whatever we call it, what is the over/under on when we are complaining about the new frelard vs old frelard?

    oh how i will miss big 5 sporting goods
  • proccers
    I worked there when Hertz used to be AA Rentals, and it was Frelard then. I think that sticks.
  • I live in the no-mans-land and I tell folks I live on the Lower East Side of Ballard. Seems a little silly since the old ballard border was 8th so my home was never in Ballard but still I like the sound of it... certainly better then Frelard or Balmont.
  • missing something
    Well, if you're up the hill between Market and Ross Playfield, that actually puts you into Phinney as well. So the "Ross" neighborhood should actually be Balphinfre.
  • Bethany
    It's always been Frelard....

    Balmont sounds like something created by "our new condo overlords"
  • Andy
    @pioggia: How, pray tell, do you pronounce Fremont?
  • Rudy
    I've always heard Frelard... never heard of Balmont before.
  • toudios
    it *is* Interbay-Ballard, it has been known as Fre-lard for as long as I can remember, and I've *never* heard *anyone* refer to it as Balmont.

    toudios,
    from the heart of Bro-lard™©®
  • joel
    Ummm as far back as I can remember its always been part of Interbay.
  • kim
    freland. it doesn't matter how it sounds or what ideas it conjures up. that's the point.
  • kim
    oops. frelard. or maybe freland now.....
  • Dennis
    Beeryway
  • m
    lol Dennis!
  • Arisse
    I think it should be called: 'Tain't

    Because, of course, 'tain't really Ballard and 'tain't really Fremont.

    I just couldn't resist :o)
  • Eric
    Frelard (or perhaps Freelard)-- how could it be anything else?

    Speaking as a resident, the name really does evoke the neighborhood's sensibility.
  • toudios
    Arisse for three and the foul - nice work. :)
  • Spaghettio
    What about Llardmont? The extra "l" makes it sound so swanky....
  • Lindsarella
    what? Was Ballfre already taken?
  • povertyrich
    Frelard, biatches.

    Stop by the liberty lounge for a g&t.
  • adili
    It's Freeball. Always has been Always will be.
  • toudios
    no, it isn't. never has been never will be.
  • DC
    I'm sure our new condo overlords prefer "Balmont" to "Frelard", as it sounds swankier. But just as Hell's Kitchen will always be Hell's Kitchen (never "Clinton"), Frelard is forever!
  • Let's just merge all the surrounding neighborhoods into one so we don't have this confusion. From now we'll just refer to the entire area as

    Ballingwoodmont Ridge
  • Spaghettio
    Ha! Yeah! Or Phallardneymontidge...
  • nw 53rd
    I live on NW 53rd right off of 8th and it's been called Frelard as long as I can remember. Balmont sounds F'n retarded!
  • M
    It's been Freeball for as long as I've lived here. Much cleaner sounding than Freelard, no?
  • Timmy
    How about scranus, or gooch?
  • Tawn
    My friends and I like to call it Freball!!!

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